ATEX Information

ATEX Marking

ATEX and IC Equipment Groups

Area Classifications

ATEX and IEC Group Subdivisions

Temperature Classification

ATEX and IE Protection Concepts for Gases, Vapours and Mists (G)

ATEX and IEC Protection Concepts for Combustible Dusts (D)

ATEX and DSEAR

It is a legal requirement in Europe for employers and the self-employed to protect people from the risks to their safety from fires, explosions and similar events in the workplace.

Employers must:

• find out what dangerous substances are in their workplace and what the fire and explosion risks are;

• put control measures in place to either remove those risks or, where this is not possible, control them;

• put controls in place to reduce the effects of any incidents involving dangerous substances;

• prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies involving dangerous substances;

• make sure employees are properly informed about and trained to control or deal with the risks from the dangerous substances;

• identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and avoid ignition sources (from unprotected equipment, for example) in those areas.

People involved in the design, installation or management of ATEX Plant or Equipment must be proven to be ‘competent’ in the appropriate field as defined by EN60079-14.